Check-stamping mechanism for computing-machines.



V G. ARMSTRONG.

CHECK STAMPING MECHANISM FOR COMPUTING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 20. 1908.

Patented N0v.2, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G; A. ARMSTRONG. cmaox STAMPING MECHANISM FOR COMPUTING momma.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20. 1908.

Patented NOV. 2, 1909.

3 SHEETB-SHEBT 8- J6" 2251 A n v 14 id 0 @4 J17 aAAm I attoxmu G. A. ARMSTRONG. QHEGKSTAMPING MECHANISM FOR comr'u'rme MAGHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20. 1908.

Patented Nov. 2

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

State of Ohio, have inventeda new and use- GEORGE A. ARMSTRONG, 0F YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO;

CHEGK-STAMPIN G MECHANISM FOR COMPUTING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2,1909.

Application filed July 20, 1908; Serial No. 144,498.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE'A.'AR1\[STRONG, a citizen of the. United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and ful Check-Stamping Mechanism for Computing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

In commercial institutions where large numbers of checks or other analogous papers or otherwise stamp the that w are handled, it'is the usual custom to employ computing machines for adding together the amounts designated by said checks or papers. It is also the custom to 'indorse 'tating a second handling-of the papers in question.

The present invention relates to means employed in connection with a computing v 20 machine for stamping or printing the checks or other instruments as the amounts designated thereon are computed by the machine, thus effecting a material saving in time and labor and insuring the marking of each check or paper, the amount of which is recorded by the machine.

It is one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide mechanism that is very simple, practicable and entirely accurate, is. directly associated with the computing machine, is neither clumsy in appearance nor action, occupies but very little space, and is very convenientlyarranged for the operator of the machine.

A further object is to provide mechanism ill successively print and pilethe checks in tie order inwhich their amounts are recorded by the computing machine, and a stillfurther and important object is to provide the mechanism in the'form of an attachment that can be used; in connection with practically any well known type of machine and 'can be applied theretoby an unskilled person.

An embodiment of theinvention that is at present considered the preferable one is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and is described in the following. specification.

It will be evident from an inspection of the, claims hereto appended that the invention is by no means limited to the exact structure disclosed; r i In the drawings :-Figlure l is aside .ele-.

nation-of a. well known form ofadding' masame, thus necessiso that the inner .open. v

Secured to the'front portion of the base.

the tie bolts 22.

chine, showing the printing mechanism associated therewith. Fig. 2 is a plan View of sa1d tively detail sectional views von the'line 3-3 and H, with the parts as shown in Figs. 1

mechanism. 'Figs'. 3 and i are respecand 2. Fig. 5 is a ;ver'tical sectional View.

through the printing mechanism, showing the same-when printing or stampinga check. Figs. 6 and 7 trating different actuatingvmechanlsm. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the base. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 4. Fig. 10-is a sec-' tional view on the line 1010 of Fig. 2.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the drawings.

are detail side elevations illuspositions assumed by the,

figures of the I In the embodiment illustrated, a base is employed, in the form of a rectangular framelO having at its corners upstanding lugs 11 provided with sockets 12 to receive the feet 13 of any well known typeofcomputing machine. Thus in the bodiment, a machine 14 is illustrated, known generally. as a- Burroughs adding machine. It is believed to be unnecessary to go into the detail structure of this machine, as the same is well known to the art. It is sulficient to state that it is provided with an oscillatory handle crank 15 carried by. an actuating rock shaft 16 the said handle crank belng disposed at one side chine and the rock shaft'extending into said present entof the ma-' machine and being connected with the mechanism thereof. The sockets 12 to which reference has already been made, are erably formed by upstanding curved flanges 17 that have their inner portions cut away sides of the sockets are prefframe 10 by brackets 18 or other suitablede vices, is a horizontal bar 19' arranged in ad- Vance of said frame, and carrying at its ends bolts 22, and suspended King with the feed rolls 42 and the printing said shaft.

at a downward and forward inclination. I Secured to the upper end of the rear wall is a downwardly and forwardly inclined directing plate 23. Arranged above the open upper end of the basket is check receiving means substantially in the form of a funnel composed of convergently disposed walls 29 secured to and between the enlargements 2110f the standards, and having an upper open receiving mouth. I

Arranged between the check receiving device or funnel and the check holder or basket is the printing mechanism, and for this purpose, a rock shaft 30 is employed that is journaled in the enlargements 21 and projects beyond the same. Collars 31 and 32, secured to the projecting ends of the shaft 30, prevent the longitudinal displacement of The central portion of the shaft 30 is shown more particularly in Fig. 9, is provided with a key 33 preferably formed of spring wire, and 'slidably mounted on this shaft, are two printing devices in the form of rollers 34 having keyways 35 to receive the key 33. The rollers furthermore have sockets 36 opening through their outer ends, which sockets are adapted to receive the inwardly bent ends 37 of holding pins 38. secured to one of the tie bolts 22. Carried on the periphery of these printing devices is suitable type, preferably rubber forms 39, which may be of any suitable character for indorsements, cancellations or the like. Located over the portion of the shaft having the key 33 is an inking roller .40, which is supported on yielding arms 41 secured to the tie bolt 22, said inking roller thus being yieldingly maintained in. coaction with the printing device that is engaged by the key 33.

Secured to the shaft 30 at the outer ends of the printing rollers 34, "are feed rolls 42, said rolls, as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 3 having yielding rims 43 that extend but partially around the rolls. An idler shaft 44 is located in rear of the shaft 30 and is journaled in slots 45 formed in the rear portions of the standards 20. This shaft 44 is held in the inner ends of the slots, or in other words, is yieldin'gly urged toward the shaft 30 by means of coiled springs 46 secured to the standards and engaged with the projecting ends of said shaft 44. Mounted on the shaft 44 and cooperatroller that is engaged with the key 33 are clamping or auxiliary feed rolls 47. Theshaft 30 furthermore carries check suppogtare out of engagement, as will be evidentby reference to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, in which case, if a check is introduced through the receiving funnel 29, its lower edge will rest upon the fingers 48, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

The collar 32, which is secured to one of the projecting ends of the shaft 30, is provided with a crank arm 50, to the free end of which is pivoted one end of an extensible link comprising slidably associated sections 51 adjustably fastened together by a screw 52 or other suitable device. The other end of this link is pivoted as shown at 53 to a crank plate 54, carried by a hub 55,'through which the rock shaft 16 of the handle crank 15 of the machine 14 is passed. This hub 55 is furthermore provided with an arm 56, which extends alongside the handle crank 55, and a clip 57 that detachably embraces said handle crank, is also arranged to embrace the arm 56 so as to hold the two against relative movement. The clip 57 is fastened by a suitable set screw 58. Projecting from the crank plate 56 of the hub are divergcntly disposed arms 59, which operate on opposite sides of the link 51 and have offset lugs 60 that engage the opposite edges of said link upon the oscillation of the handle crank for the purpose hereinafter explained.

To associate the mechanism above described with a computing machine, all that is necessary is to place the machine on the base, and it can be properly positioned by inserting the feet 13 into the sockets. The handle crank-of the rock shaft is then removed and the hub 55 placed thereon in any desired way. The parts are then in operatively associated relation, though it is possible that the link 51 may require lengthenwill properly accommodate itself to the swing of the actuating handle crank 15. The normal position of the parts when not in use, is illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in which case, it Will be noted that the crank 50 of the shaft 30 is just above its dead center, and the crank connection 53 of the hub is forward. The checks or other papers to be added and indorsed or otherwise stamped and the operator as rapidly as he sets up the amount of the uppermost on the adding niachine, places it with its back foremostinto the receiving hopper 29. Its lower edge will thereupon rest on the supporting fingers 43, as shown in Figs. 3 and To record the amount set up, the handle crank 15 is swung ing means in the form of fingers 48 having offset free ends 49, these fingers being located on opposite sides of the printing rollers and so arranged that they extend practically across the space between the shafts 30 and '44 when the cut away forwardly and returned in a manner well understood. As this crank swings forwardly, it will be evident that the link 51 will move rearwardly. Consequently the crank 50 will be partially revolved. The

ortions of the rolls are opposite the auxiliary rollers 4?. When so arranged all the opposing rollers upper arm 59 at the same time, will swing downwardly. and the lug 60 thereof snaking the upper edge of the link are arranged in a pile in the usual manner,

ing or shortening slightly in order that it to move downcrank 50 past Fig. 7, will cause the link wardly and thus swing the its rear or lower dead center. As the handle crank returns therefore, it will be evident by reference to Fig. 7 that the crank 50- will continue its rotary movement, and as said handle crank 15 approaches its original position, the lug 60.0f the lower arm 59 will strike the lower edge of the link 51, causing the crank 50 to swing just beyond its dead center, thus bringing the parts to their original positions as illustrated in Fig. 1. As a result, it will be noted that upon each complete oscillation of the handle, crank 15, the crank 50, and consequently the shaft 30 to which it is connected, will have one complete revolution. I

Referring again to. the printing and feeding mechanism, the check as originally placed therein. is supportedby the fingers -18. As the shaft 30 revolves therefore, these fingers are swung downwardly and rearwardly from beneath the edge of the check, at the same time, the printing roller and the 'feed rolls will be revolved so that said check will be engaged between the same and the auxiliary rollers 47, as shown in Fig. 5. Consequently the check will be moved downwardly, and at the same time printed or stamped. -As the shaft 30 continues to revolve, the check will pass the same, and sliding over the guide plate 28 and rearwardly curved portion 26 of the basket, will be directed downwardly so that it will fall face down into the basket. The checks are of course successively passed into the mechanism as fast as their amounts are set up on the adding machine, and these checks are thus passed through the printing and feeding means and piled in the basket Fig. 1 that the mechanism is cupies but very little space, and that it can be applied by an unskilled person to the machine. lVhile it is shown in the form of an attachment. and is preferably so constructed, it will be evident that it may be made a permanent part of the machine. \Vi'th this structure therefore, checks or other papers of an analogous nature may be indorsed, canceled or, otherwise stamped as. rapidly as their amounts are recorded, and without the necessity of separately handlingthem. A very considerable amount of time and labor is thus saved, particularly in large establish ments Where great numbers of such papers are handled. The use of two printing devices is advantageous in that stamps of different characters can be employed on the same ma chine. For instance, one can be employed for indorsing domestic and the other forei n checks. Moreover when one is in use, the other is out of associated relation with the.

checks passed through the mechanism, and' simple and ocis held stationar the coacting holding pin From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with-w out further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A check canceling attachment for computing machines comprising a base frame, standards rising from the frame at the front thereof, a printing mechanism carried by the standards and including rotary type and platen elements coacting to simultaneously by its engagement with the mechanism with the operating lever of a computing machine to rotate the elements, a basket carried by the standards and dis posed under the printing mechanism to receive the check delivered by the elements, and socket devices at the corners of the base frame for receiving the corner feet of the computing the base frame behind the standards and printing mechanism.

2. In a printing attachment to adding machines, a checkreceiver adapted to be supported in front. of said adding machine, com prising lateral standards, U-shaped wire holders supported at their open ends in the standards, transverse rolls mounted in the standards, one of which is a printing roll, mechanism for rotating said printing roll, and means detachably connecting the actuating mechanism of the printing roll with the actuating mechanism of the adding ma chine.

3. In a printing attachment to adding machines, lateral vertical standards, means for supporting the standards in front of said adding machine, front and rear transverse rods connecting the standards at their upper ends U-shaped wire frames each having its ends attached to the front and rear standards, transverse shafts mounted in said standards, opposed rolls mounted on. the shafts, one of which is a printing roll. mechanism for rotating said shafts, and means for detachably connecting the actuating mechanism of the printing roll" shaft with adding inamachine adapted to rest on printing roll with the actuating mechanism of the adding machine.

5. In. a printing attachment to adding machines, a check receiver adapted to be supported in front of said adding machine, but detachable therefrom and open at its upper end, a shaft mounted transversely in the receiver and having a printing roll thereon and opposed check-engaging rolls, a shaft parallel with the first-named shaft having thereon idler rolls engaging with the rolls on the first-named shaft, mechanism for rotating the printing roll shaft, and means detachably connecting the actuating mechanism of the printing roll with the actuating mechanism of the adding machine.

6. In a printing attachment to adding machines, a check receiver adapted to be supported in front of said adding machine having lateral standards, a transverse printing roll mounted between the standards, an opposed idler roll mounted between the standards', downwardly convergent guide lates mounted in the standards above the printing and idler roll an inwardly-directed guide plate mounted etween the standards beneath the guide rolls, mechanism for rotating said printing roll, and means detach-ably connecting the actuating mechanism of the printing roll with the actuating mechanism of the adding machine. I

7 In a printing attachment to adding machines, a check receiver adapted to be supported in front of said adding machine but rigidly connectedtherewith, opposed printing and idler rolls mounted in the up? per end of said receiver, mechanism for rotating the printing roll, a connecting rod attached to said mechanism, and a crank arm to which said connectin rod ispivoted, said crank arm having a hu adapted to be applied. over the actuating shaft of the adding machine and rigidly attached thereto, and

' said hub having divergently-extending arms having projecting porti'as adapted, one or the other, to engage with said connecting rod to force it in one or the other direction when the actuating shaft of the adding machine has been turned to bring one or the otier arm into contact with the connecting ro 8. The combinationof a computing machine including a frame and operating mechanism, with a canceling attachment including a frame and operating mechanism, and detachable means for operatlvely connecting the mechanlsms together, the attachment frame forming a support on which the entire computing machine removably rests.

9. The combination with computing mechanism, including an operating handle, of a check holding basket associated with said computing mechanism, rotary printing means located at the upper end of the basket, operating connections-between the printing means and the handle of the computing mechanism, a rotary check support associated with the printing means and adapted to extend beneath the check prior to the actuation of the printing means and to be moved from beneath the check uporrthe actuation of the printing means, and operating connections between the printing means and the handle of the adding machine.

10. In a printing attachment to adding machines, check receivers adapted to be attached to said adding machine and open at its upper end, opposed rolls mounted transversely in the upper open end of the receiver, one of which is a printing roll, a rotary check support associated with the printing roll and adapted in one position of the roll to project beneath the check and in other positions of the roll to be removed from beneath the check, means for rotating said printing roll, and means connecting the actuating mechanism of the printing roll with the actuating mechanism of the adding machine. p v

11. The combination with a check holding basket, of a funnel located above the same, a shaft arranged between the basket and funnel, a printing device mounted on the shaft, feed rolls also mounted on the shaft, supporting pins carried by the shaft and adapted when the shaft is in position to support a check, computing mechanism, an actuating handle for the computing'mechanism, and means connected with the handle for rotating the shaft.

12. The combination with a computing machine having an actuating handle at one side of the same, of a support located at one end of the machine, a check receiving" basket located in the support, a check receiving funnel arranged above the basket, a rotary shaft journaled on the support between the basket and funnel, an idler shaft located alongside the first mentioned shaft, feed pressure rollers mounted on the shafts, a printing device mounted on one of the shafts, check-supporting fingers carried by one of the shafts, and actuatlng connections between the handle and one of said shafts.

13. The combination with computing mechanism including a movable part, of printing mechanism associated with the same, and comprising an actuating member and operatively connected with the said ing connections between assess part, of a plurality of interchangeable printmg devices arranged on the said member and the active one being movable into and out of a position to be operated by the actuating member, and means for holding the other device in inoperative position.

14. The combination with computing mechanism including a movable part, of printing mechanism associated therewith and having an actuating shaft operatively connected with the said part. an elementrotatable with the shaft, and a plurality of rotatable printing devices movable on the shaft into and out of engagement with the element.

15. The combination with computing mechanism including a movable part, of printing mechanism associated and having an actuating member with computing mechanism including amovable part, of-

printing mechanism associated therewith, and comprising an actuating shaft having a key and operatively connected with the said part, a plurality of printing devices slidably mounted on theshaft and having key-ways,f

to positions said devices being movable engage the key and being furthermore provided with sockets, and stationary pins that engage in the sockets when p vices are out of engagement with the key to hold said devices agalnst rotation.

18. The combination with a machine having an actuating handle on'one side, of a support located at the front end of the machine, a basket arranged in the support, a funnel located above the basket, an actuating shaft journaled inthe support between the funnel rolls, and supporting fin ers and being also provided with a key, a p urality of printing devices slidably mounted on the shaft and movable into and out of engagement with the key, means for holding the printing devices against rotation with the shaft when out of engagement with the key, and operatthe shaft and the handle of the said machine.

19. The combination. with computing therewith and oper atively connected with the said part, a phi-1 rality of printing devices movable into and of coac-I net-ting the computing adapted to: engage,

the printing de-' and basket, said shaft having feed means having an actuating handle on one the support, a transverse shaftjournaled in the support at the upper end of the basket. feed rolls carried on said shaft, an opposed transverse shaft, a key projecting therefrom. a plurality of printing rolls slidably mounted on the shaft and movable into and out ofengagement with the key, each of which rolls having a recess therein, opposed fixed pins adapted to engage in said recesses when one or the other roll is moved out of engagement with'the key on said shaft, and operating connections between the shaft and the handle of the adding machine.

20. An adding machine including an actuating handle, in combination with a printing attachment therefor, comprising lateral supports adapted to be supported inv front of said adding machine, a check receiver open at its upper end and supported between said standards, transverse bars conupper ends of said standards, idler rolls mounted on one of said bars, a transverse rotating shaft mounted in the upper end of said standards, opposed printing rolls shiftably mounted on the shaft and one or the other, with a key projecting from said shaft, an inking device with which one or the otherprinting roll is adapted to be brought into contact, and means projecting from one of said transverse bars adapted to engage with the printing roll which is out" of engagement with the key on the shaft, a crank for rotating said shaft, a connecting rod, and means adapted to be attached to the actuating handle of the adding machine .engaging with said connecting rod.

21. The combination with computing mechanism having an oscillatory actuating handle, of rotatable printing mechanism, a device having a crank connectionwith .the printing mechanism' and with the handle, and means movable "with .the handle and engaging the device to swing the same in opposite direct-ions and carry the former past its dead centers on the oscillation of the handle,

22, The combination with mechanism having an oscillatory actuating handle, of a rotary printing mechanism, a crank carried by the printing mechanism, a crank connected to .thehandle, a link connecting the cranks, arms movable with the handle and extending on opposite sides of the link, and lugs carried by the arms and engaging the opposite edges of the link to swing the same inoppositedirections and carry the crank and the printing mechanism computing past its dead centers 'on the oscillation .of

the handle.

23. The combination with computing mechanism including an actuating rock Cir shaft and a handle crank secured thereto, of printing mechanism, a crank, a link connected therewith, means for actuating the link including a hub through which the rock shaft passes, and means for securing the hub and rock shaft against relative rotation.

24. A printing attachment to adding machines adapted to be supported detachably therewith having a rotary printing mechanism, a crank for rotating the printing mechanism, a connecting rod attachable to the rock shaft and handle crank of said adding machine, said means including a hub through which the rock shaft passes, an arm carried by the hub and located alongside the handle crank, a clip for detachably securin the two together, and an arm projectin from the hub to which the connecting ro is pivoted.

25. The combination with computing mechanism including an actuating rock shaft, and a handle crank secured thereto, of rotary printing mechanism having .a crank, a hub through which the rock shaft passes, said hub having a crank, a link connection between the crank of the printing mechanism and the crank of the hub, an arm carried by the hub and located alongside the handle crank, means for detachably securing the two together, other arms secured to the hub and having lugs disposed to engage the link upon the oscillation of'the handle crank.

26. A printing attachment for adding thechines, including a base having sockets to receive the feet of an adding machine, movable printing mechanism mounted on said base, actuating means for the printing mechanism, and means for attaching said actuating means to the operating handle of an adding machine.

27. A printing attachment for adding machines, including a base having means for positioning am adding machine thereon, an upstanding support located at the front end of the base, cheek printing mechanism movably mounted on the upstanding support, operating means for the printing mechanism, and means for attaching the actuating mechanism to the operating device of an adding machine positioned on the base.

28. A printing attachmentfor adding machines, including an open frame having upstanding lugs provided with sockets to re ceive the feet of an adding machine, a support arranged at one end of the base, printing mechanism mounted on the support, actuating means for the printing mechanism, and means for connecting the actuating means to the handle of an adding machine placed on the base. i

29. A printing attachment for adding machines, including an angular frame having upstanding lugs provided with sockets to essence receive the feet of an adding machine, standards mounted at the front end of the frame. a basket supported between the standards, a funnel located above the basket, rotary printing means journaled on the standards between the funnel and basket, actuating mechanism for the printing means, and means for attaching said actuating mechanism to the handle of an adding machine placed on the frame.

30. The combination with a computing machine having an oscillatory member, of an attachment therefor having a rotary member, a crank connected with the member, a link connected with the crank and oscillatory member, and means for successively engaging the link to assist the crank past its dead centers.

. 31. The combination with a computing machine having an oscillatory member, of 8 an attachment therefor having a retar member, a crank connected with the member, an extensible link connected with the crank and oscillatory member, and means for sue-- cessively engaging opposite sides of the link to assist the crank past its dead centers.

32. The combination with a comput; machine including a movable element, of an attachment including a rotary element, a crank connected with the rotary element, a link having longitudinal movement and connected with the said movable. element and crank for turning the latter, and members movable simultaneously with the first-mew tioned element for successively operating to assist the crank past its dead centers.

33. The combination of a computing machine including a shaft and an operating arm secured thereto, an attachment supported independently of the machine and in cooperative relation thereto, a printing mechanism included in the attachment, an ole ment fulcrumed on the shaft and secured to the-arm, and a link connected with the said mechanism and adapted to be detached from the said element when the macnine is removed from the attachment.

84. The combination of a structure including a base frame and an upright frame, and a printing mecl1anism carried by the upright frame, with a computing machine removably mounted on' the base frame and behind the upright frame and including operating mechanism, and means for connecting the said mechanisms together where- 'by one is operated by the other.

35. The combination of a supporting frame, a rotary shaft mounted thereon, a platen roll, separate printing rolls mount to slide longitudinally of the shaft into out of cooperative relation with the platen roll, and means for locking one of the pr' ting rolls in inoperative position while the other printing roll is in operative posi ll f shaft mounted thereon, a second rotary shaft disposed parallel with the first, means for yieldingly urging the shafts together, frictional means for driving one shaft by the other, a platen roll on thesecond shaft, and a plurality of printing rolls carried by the first-mentioned shaft *and independently movable into cooperative relation with the platen roll. r

37. The combination of a supporting structure, a pair of rotary shafts, means for driving one shaft by the other, a platen roll on one shaft, 21 slidable longitudinally on the other shaft,

plurality of printing rolls and locking devices for. holding either print-.

ing roll in inoperative position, said devices being so related to the platen roll that n1ove lnent of the printing-rolls together in cit-her direction Willloek one of the printing rolls while the other is disposed in cooperative relation with the platen roll.

- In testimony, that I claiinthe foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

v GEORGE A. ARh [S'llt-ONG. Vitnesses Gnonon'B. SMITH,

LENA J. BUEHLER. 

